About Us

Mission

The Chicago Torture Justice Center seeks to address the traumas of police violence and institutionalized racism through access to healing and wellness services, trauma-informed resources, and community connection. The Center is a part of and supports a movement to end all forms of police violence.

Who We Are

The Chicago Torture Justice Center (CTJC) is a community center for Chicago police torture survivors. CTJC was established as a result of a historic Reparations Ordinance passed by the Chicago City Council in May 2015. The Reparations Ordinance provides redress for racially-motivated police torture orchestrated by Chicago Police Department Commander, Jon Burge between 1972-1991. Over 120 predominantly African-American men were tortured into giving false confessions by Burge and officers under his command. These men spent decades wrongfully imprisoned and were denied their freedom; even after evidence proved that they were tortured.

After decades of fighting for justice, Chicago became the first municipality in the United States to provide reparations to those harmed by racially-motivated law enforcement violence in May 2015.The Reparations Ordinance included the creation of a community center informed by the needs of survivors of police torture, their family members, and community members. CTJC is the first community center in the United States that provides specialized trauma services to those tortured by law enforcement officers with the country. We are a part of and support a movement to end all forms of police violence.